Microsoft, whose share of the handheld operating system market
has never strayed too far past 10 percent, hopes to make an end-run
around Palm handheld lovers with a revamped Pocket PC 2002 that
appeals to the businesses that employ those lovers. This latest
Pocket PC version includes enterprise-oriented features designed to
prompt security-conscious network professionals to standardize
companywide on the OS.

Naturally, the visual experience and user interface of the new
OS closely mirror Microsoft's new Windows XP. But it all
requires more processing power and memory, pushing hardware prices
to $400 and above. Case in point: Hewlett-Packard's release of
the Jornada 565 sporting Pocket PC 2002 goes for $599 (street).

Right to the Source

A new way to get business tech solutions is coming down the
line: e-sourcing. Web-based e-sourcing follows a utility model for
providing IT services. You pay according to how much you use, just
like you do with electricity or gas.

E-sourcing can encompass many products and services, but some
areas to keep an eye on are Web hosting, data storage and network
services. The incentives for all this are cost savings and not
having to second-guess the amount of resources your business might
need.

IBM is busy on the e-sourcing front lines, rolling out an
e-sourcing data storage option called Managed Storage Services. Sun
Microsystems and Hewlett-Packard have also made motions in this
direction. Initial offerings target larger corporations, but
e-sourcing should come into its own in the next few years and start
to make money-saving propositions for growing businesses.